WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[mash]

Love the stuff that Wiim is producing these days and this is another nice box. Would really like to see an "Super Ultra" version that adds XLR outs and improves the phono support. As it is, I wouldn't swap out any of my devices for this. Add those improvements and I'd minimally use it for my office system.

 

[Dr. Noooooo]

Thank you for the great review, as usual.

Personally this device has everything I need for a reasonable price: Excellent DAC (as confirmed here), PEQ and subwoofer management, and of course the streaming capabilities. Maybe future upgrades will bring balanced outputs, bigger and better screen etc. but this device already has everything for a simple and yet highly performing music streaming platform.

 

[pogo]

The Bluesound Node Icon gets into AVR prices and I don’t know if it allows wireless rears.

Supported Multi-Channel Audio Formats:​

Dolby Digital®

In my view, it won't stay with the typical 4.2 in the near future.
Let's see what the new streaming service will bring soon. The new MQA libraries that were rolled out this month could be a harbinger.

 

[Brian Hall]

Love the stuff that Wiim is producing these days and this is another nice box. Would really like to see an "Super Ultra" version that adds XLR outs and improves the phono support. As it is, I wouldn't swap out any of my devices for this. Add those improvements and I'd minimally use it for my office system.

I would rather have another analog in than the phono preamp. It is wasted space for most people who will already have a better phono preamp. I wouldn't replace my Waxwing with the phono input on the Ultra.

 

[morillon]

I would rather have another analog in than the phono preamp. It is wasted space for most people who will already have a better phono preamp. I wouldn't replace my Waxwing with the phono input on the Ultra.

and what would you connect to the already existing line input?

 

[drmevo]

I would rather have another analog in than the phono preamp. It is wasted space for most people who will already have a better phono preamp. I wouldn't replace my Waxwing with the phono input on the Ultra.

I agree, it should have at least been switchable to a standard line-level input (my preamp has this option on analog input 1).

If the Ultra had HT Bypass and AirPlay I'd replace my preamp without a second thought.

 

[GXAlan]

Supported Multi-Channel Audio Formats:​

Dolby Digital®

In my view, it won't stay with the typical 4.2 in the near future.
Let's see what the new streaming service will bring soon. The new MQA libraries that were rolled out this month could be a harbinger.

Not sure if it has wireless rears like the NAD M10 or if it just decodes Dolby Digital for the benefits of dynamic range normalization and virtualization of the rear channels.

It would be nice to have Dolby Atmos support since virtualization of the height channels is better than no virtualization.

 

[pogo]

Not sure if it has wireless rears like the NAD M10

Even the old Node can do that.

 

[Mikig]

complete device, with good overall performance, which can represent the heart of a modern living room system, or part of a system for the most demanding enthusiast. The fact that it is Roon Ready is excellent, in fact, it could be one of the devices "approved" by Roon more affordable for the general public with more than good performance. Personally I am more attracted to the smaller brothers, which with really low prices show off incredible performance in relation.
Thanks Amirm for the test!

 

[dtaylo1066]

We all have our ideas on how to make it better. But the bottom line is that for $330 what you get here is rather amazing, thus I have to vote "terrific." Future products and iterations will only get better.

 

[Jole]

You can't apply dsp to a dsd file, I imagine that's the reason

On first point can be turned off on ROON for example ((dsp...(volume...etc)) so native dsd could be send to streamer...but why then streamer convert to pcm is question for wiim....as I saw on eversolo forum A6 do that but not with every dac....probably wiim implementation issues...whatever thank you on respond

 

[AdamG]

We all have our ideas on how to make it better. But the bottom line is that for $330 what you get here is rather amazing, thus I have to vote "terrific." Future products and iterations will only get better.

Exactly. All these added functionalities will add to cost and possibly reduced performance. This little Streamer that could. Does and it does it on a budget. It’s obviously not for everyone but it might fill a gap in the Streamer space below the $400 USD make +Taxes/shipping. Personally I’m excited to see products like this at the entry level price point that will enable many more people on a budget join the Streaming Evolution.

 

[Pinkynator]

I tried to turn Ethernet off and it warned me that I would be switching to WiFi? Why is this either or instead of both being on at the same time?

Because two network interfaces active at the same time would mean two different IP addresses and "two devices" visible on the network.

 

[harkpabst]

A modern WXA-50 with HDMI eARC would be interesting too. They had a WXC-50 which was the pre amp version. When you look at the amp section back then, you can see how it compares to the WiiM Amp.

Measuring setup is not exactly identical to what it was 5 years ago. Direct comparison is not that easy ...

 

[REK2575]

Sorry to be that guy...

Opinions welcome on which is the better value proposition: WiiM Ultra at $329, or Eversolo DMP A-6 at $769?

 

[Th0805]

Sorry to be that guy...

Opinions welcome on which is the better value proposition: WiiM Ultra at $329, or Eversolo DMP A-6 at $769?

The eversolo may be a prettier product with a bigger screen and different inputs/outputs. If you’re enticed by or need those features it would be a good choice.

But the ultra measures better and has room correction for less money. So the value is probably in the Wiim’s favor

 

[Billy Budapest]

Here's an example of a better looking streamer than either Wiim Ultra or A-6. It's certainly my preference.

View attachment 395730

And what streamer is that? Certainly not made by Akai as stated on the VU’s!

 

[JDPBILI]

Acabo de empezar a hacer streaming con este dispositivo y tengo que decir que cumple con mis más altas expectativas.
No esperaba un sonido tan amplio y resuelto.
Una grata sorpresa. Lo uso con Qubouz.
PD: Empiezo con este mensaje.

Translation by Moderator. Please post in English going forward. Thank you.

“I just started streaming with this device and I have to say that it meets my highest expectations.
I was not expecting such a wide and resolute sound.
A pleasant surprise. I use it with Qubouz.
PS: I start with this message.”

 

[kyuu]

Wiim mini for $89 with your favorite DAC connected via optical is the best value proposition and best measurements. Everything else is upsell with no improved audio capability.

Sure, if you already have a good DAC that meets all your needs which you want to keep using. But if not there's no real advantage to getting a separate DAC.

 

[Zwepp]

Thanks for the review @amirm. Many of us (including me) have been eagerly awaiting this review. As expected it's a great streamer with equally great functionality. PEQ and base management stands out, just as the connectivity. The screen is nice for some I guess, but I'd like it to be a whole lot bigger (like the Eversolo DMP-A6 or even bigger). Maybe Wiim could merge the best of the DMP-A6 with the Wiim Ultra, which basically means to add the aforementioned bigger screen, together with XLR outputs. And while they're at it, please make the headphone output and phono stage a bit more than an afterthought. I wouldn't mind paying a premium for that (say $ 899,- to $ 1099,-). And let me dream a bit more... Why not this configuration with a set of Purifi 1ET400a modules built in?